Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Episode Title: Give Time To Prayer, Part Six
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host: Nancy Dufresne
Release Date: September 3, 2020

Main Theme:
Pastor Nancy Dufresne explores the importance of intentionally making time for prayer and spiritual development, using biblical examples to highlight the dangers of distractions—internal and external—that can hinder spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry and life. The episode centers on how to grow skillful in the things God has made available to believers, and how to maintain spiritual focus amid the busyness of life and ministry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Necessity of Spiritual Progress and Skillfulness

• Spiritual growth requires dedicated time: prayer, the Word, and developing spiritual skills (00:08).
• Quote:

  "God has so much for us and He offers us so much. But it's going to take time to become skillful in what He has made ours."
  — Nancy Dufresne (00:13)

The Danger of Distraction – Lessons from Paul, Barnabas, and Mark

• Biblical Example (Acts 15:36-40):
  Nancy reads the passage where Paul and Barnabas disagree about bringing John Mark, leading to their separation (01:40).
• Barnabas was distracted by personal determination and family ties, putting his preference ahead of God’s directive (03:15).
• The division caused Barnabas to "sail off the pages of history," illustrating how distractions can remove us from God’s best (04:20).
• Quote:

  "Barnabas sailed off the pages of history that day because he was distracted by his determination."
  — Nancy Dufresne (04:25)

• Distractions can derail not just individuals, but entire callings and relationships, including marriages and ministry partnerships (05:10).
• Even spiritual maturity doesn’t immunize us against being derailed by personal preference (05:40).
• Paul’s refusal to bring Mark was rooted in Mark’s lack of readiness for the trials ahead—not personal animosity but protection and wisdom (07:30).

Personal Testimony: Spiritual Readiness and Protection

• Nancy shares her experience of spiritual attack shortly after marrying her husband, highlighting the principle: when joined to someone of greater spiritual responsibility, one is tested at a higher level (09:15).
• Jesus interceded for her when she was spiritually unprepared, paralleling how Paul wanted to shield Mark (12:00).
• The importance of not elevating novices—regardless of talent or relationship—too quickly in spiritual or ministry roles (15:15).
• Quote:

  "Just because my husband was developed didn’t mean I was developed. I still had to take the time to develop and I’m still taking the time to develop."
  — Nancy Dufresne (16:30)

Leadership and the Dangers of Premature Promotion

• Leaders should be more interested in people's success than filling a role; putting people prematurely in positions can contribute to their downfall (17:25).
• Family or proximity to spiritual leaders does not entitle people to bypass growth and development (19:40).
• Even being around anointed leaders (as with Paul) does not guarantee personal success—everyone must develop spiritually themselves (20:05).
• Quote:

  "Success isn’t automatic. No matter who you’re related to… You’re not going to succeed just because you’re related to someone or friends with someone who’s a leader in a church or in a ministry. That doesn’t ensure your success."
  — Nancy Dufresne (20:12)

The Pitfall of Busyness—Even in Ministry

• Drawing from Kenneth E. Hagin’s warning (24:00):

  "Busy, busy, busy… You are too busy with natural things and because of that it’s affecting… how far reaching your ministry can be."

• Story of Billy Graham: despite his achievements, he considered himself a failure for not spending enough time with God, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of personal time with the Lord (24:41).
• The work of God should never supersede relationship with God. Time with the Lord is the foundation for effectiveness in ministry (25:11).

The Power and Necessity of Stillness

• Psalm 46:10:

  "Be still and know that I am God."
  Nancy emphasizes that some spiritual knowledge can only be gained in stillness—time away from distractions, in the Word, and in prayer (25:33).

• Many fail to hear God’s “still, small voice” because their lives are too busy or noisy to notice it (26:00).
• Quote:

  "There are some things you’ll only hear in the stillness… Some people live their lives so loudly they can’t hear that stillness."
  — Nancy Dufresne (26:14)

• Jesus is the model: though busy and in demand, He prioritized getting still to hear and see God’s direction (26:44).

Laying Aside Distractions for Spiritual Success

• Hebrews 12:1-2 (Amplified):
  Encourages believers to lay aside every weight and sin—especially distraction—to run their spiritual race effectively (27:27).
• Even "good" things (like saving money or legitimate responsibilities) can distract us from God’s best when they hold us back from what He’s calling us to (27:55).
• Laying aside distractions is a personal responsibility and choice—we choose to make time and prioritize spiritual things (29:45).
• The full potential of the fivefold ministry and the gifts of the Spirit require the level of skill and stillness that only comes from deep time spent in God’s presence (30:37).

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On the subtlety of distraction:

  "Barnabas was a spiritual man… No matter how far we grow spiritually, we have to keep the flesh under."
  — Nancy Dufresne (05:48)

• On raising leaders:

  "I’m more interested in their success than I am in getting my position filled."
  — Nancy Dufresne (17:32)

• On busyness and intimacy with God:

  "The work of the ministry is no substitute for time with God. It’s no substitute for time in prayer. It’s no substitute for time in the Word."
  — Nancy Dufresne (25:20)

• Billy Graham’s reflection:

  "I am the greatest failure of all men… I was in too many meetings, I was with too many people when I should have been more with God."
  — Billy Graham, as quoted by Nancy Dufresne (24:41)

• On hearing God in stillness:

  "Our doing will only be effective after we have been still enough to spend time with Him."
  — Nancy Dufresne (25:45)

• On ownership of spiritual growth:

  "It’s not God removing them from us, it’s us choosing to lay them aside."
  — Nancy Dufresne (29:25)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:08: Introduction to spiritual growth and the need to make time for prayer.
• 01:40: Acts 15:36-40—Paul, Barnabas, and Mark.
• 04:25: The consequence of Barnabas’ distraction.
• 07:30: Paul’s protective reasoning for not taking Mark.
• 09:15: Nancy’s personal testimony of spiritual testing after marriage.
• 15:15: Leadership lessons—don’t elevate novices prematurely.
• 17:25: The leader's true motive: people's success over expediency.
• 24:00: Dad Hagin’s "busy, busy, busy" warning.
• 24:41: Billy Graham’s reflection at age 80.
• 25:33: Psalm 46:10 and the call to stillness.
• 27:27: Hebrews 12:1-2 (Amplified)—laying aside every distraction.
• 29:25: Personal responsibility in setting aside distractions.
• 30:37: Skillfulness in the Spirit requires intentional time with God.

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s message is a passionate plea for believers—especially those serving in ministry or leadership—to carefully guard their time, recognize and remove distractions, and prioritize deep, unhurried fellowship with God above all else. Using biblical examples, personal experiences, and wisdom from spiritual fathers, she challenges listeners to pursue spiritual skillfulness and readiness, which comes only through dedicating themselves to prayer, the Word, and stillness before God.

For further resources or to connect with Dufresne Ministries, visit dufresneministries.org.